NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative history, or the Session Laws. SENATE BILL 08-017 BY SENATOR(S) Spence, Isgar, Takis, Taylor, Kopp, Mitchell S., Penry, Shaffer, Wiens, and Windels; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Primavera, Kerr J., Marshall, Mitchell V., Merrifield, Rose, Summers, and Todd. Concerning credentialing for occupational education teachers, and making an appropriation therefor. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 2 of title 22, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: 22-2-132. Department of education - career and technical education credential - rules. (1) In accordance with the state plans for occupational education adopted by the state board for community colleges and occupational education, pursuant to section 23-60-304, C.R.S., the department shall issue credentials to teachers of occupational subjects, teacher-trainers, supervisors, directors, occupational counseling specialists, and others having responsibilities in connection with occupational education at the secondary level. Prior to issuing a credential pursuant to this section, the department shall determine that the person applying for the credential meets the minimum qualifications established by the state board for community colleges and occupational education pursuant to section 23-60-304 (3) (a), C.R.S. A person who is required by law to obtain an educator license or authorization pursuant to article 60.5 of this title may obtain a credential pursuant to this section in addition to, but not in lieu of, the required educator license or authorization. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the department may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state board for community colleges and occupational education pursuant to which the state board for community colleges and occupational education, prior to July 1, 2009, may issue credentials to teachers of occupational subjects, teacher-trainers, supervisors, directors, occupational counseling specialists, and others having responsibilities in connection with occupational education at the secondary level as provided in this section. (3) The state board of education shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the implementation of this section. At a minimum, the rules shall establish the amount of and procedures for the department to collect a fee for the issuance of a credential pursuant to this section and section 22-60.5-112. SECTION 2. 23-60-304 (3), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read: 23-60-304. Plans - development and implementation - credentialing - fees. (3) (a) The state plans for occupational education shall include provisions relating to the training of teachers and administrators of occupational subjects and programs, and the board shall take steps to implement such these provisions. The board shall also establish minimum qualifications necessary for teachers of occupational subjects, teacher-trainers, supervisors, directors, occupational counseling specialists, and others having responsibilities in connection with occupational education at both the secondary and postsecondary levels and shall certify the same these qualifications to the department of education. (b) Credentials to teach an occupational subject or program shall be issued as follows: (I) The board shall issue a credential to a person specified in this subsection (3) who teaches an occupational subject or program at the postsecondary level and who meets the established minimum qualifications; except that the board may delegate to a postsecondary institution the authority to issue the credential. The board shall establish and charge fees, for the issuance of a credential issued pursuant to this subparagraph (I). The amount of the fee shall be determined by the board on the basis of the direct and indirect cost of providing the service. If a postsecondary institution issues a credential, that postsecondary institution may charge the fee established by the board. (II) The department of education shall provide for the issuance of certificates or other types of authorizations to the persons issue a credential to a person specified in this subsection (3) who meet those has responsibility for an occupational subject or program at the secondary level and who meets the minimum qualifications established by the board. The state board of education shall establish and charge fees pursuant to sections 22-2-132 and 22-60.5-112, C.R.S., for the issuance of a credential pursuant to this subparagraph (II). SECTION 3. Appropriation. In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the educator licensure cash fund created in section 22-60.5-112, Colorado Revised Statutes, not otherwise appropriated, to the department of education, for allocation to the office of professional services, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 , the sum of forty-five thousand three hundred eighty dollars ($45,380) cash funds and 1.0 FTE, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act. SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. ____________________________ ____________________________ Peter C. Groff Andrew Romanoff PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES ____________________________ ____________________________ Karen Goldman Marilyn Eddins SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED________________________________________ _________________________________________ Bill Ritter, Jr. GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO